Colombia skinhead saved years in jail, by minutes

A Colombian skinhead saved himself up to 32 years in jail by being 15 minutes shy of his 18th birthday when he stabbed a musician to death, ensuring that he will be tried as a minor.

Javier Alonso Villamizar, an industrial design student at Colombia's National University, became, legally, an adult while being hunted by police for murdering a guitar player in local rock band "Pitbull" at 11.45pm on Saturday.

Under Colombian law, Villamizar, from an upper middle class family in Bogota, faces up to eight years in jail compared with the 40 he would face had he committed the crime 15 minutes later.

"He is being treated as a minor," a police spokesman said.

Villamizar has admitted taking part in the attack with three other skinheads now being sought by police. The motive for the killing was unclear but the case has caused an outcry over street crime in Bogota, prompting the mayor to consider a curfew for minors.

- Reuters